Cervical Disk Surgery non surgical treatment plan

Your doctor may recommend rest, medication and physical therapy, and exercises to relieve your symptoms. Conservative care is usually successful, but if your symptoms don't subside or even worsen after a few weeks, you and your
doctor may decide surgery as the best option for vou.

Relieving your Symptoms

Your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the pain and inflammation in your neck. To give y.our cervical spine a chance to heal on its own, your doctor may recommend bed rest for a few days. As you lie on your back, a special cervical pillow or a rolled-up towel should support your neck. You may also wear a soft cervical collar for a couple of weeks. The collar helps to support your head while keeping your cervical spine
aligned and immobilized. To relieve the pressure' I on the irritated nerves in your cervical spine, your doctor may recommend 'traction' two or more times a day for a couple of weeks. The collar helps support your head while keeping your cervical spine aligned and immobilized. (See picture).Restoring Mobility and Strength To help you regain mobility
and. strength in your neck, your doctor may enlist the expertise of a physical, therapist. Physical therapy may last for four to six weeks. Your physical therapist may teach you special exercises to improve your neck's range of motion and strength. Posture and body movements that can affect your cervical spine may be evaluated and corrected. Therapies such as heat, massage, and traction may also help to relieve your symptoms.
Self-Care

Although your doctor and physical therapist are key members of your treatment team, the most important member may be you. It is up to you to follow their recommended exercise program, which may include resistance and range-of-motion exercises (refer to article of last month).
You can protect your neck from further injury by practising good posture whether you're sitting, standing'or moving. You may need to re-arrange your workspace so that you don't strain your neck while working. And while lying down, support YO\1r neck with a flat pillow or rolled-up towel.

Your Role Before Surgery

If you decide to have surgery, you can help make it a success by preparing for it mentally and physically. This preparation includes planning ahead for your surgery, having realistic expectations about what surgery can do for you, and following your doctor's pre-operative instructions.

Planning Ahead

Having surgery can be stressful, but if you plan ahead for your recovery, you can minimize much of the inconvenience and strain. Talk to your doctor about how much time you'll need to be away from work. Since you may not be able to drive or to do some strenuous activity for a few weeks after surgery, make sure family or friends can help you with errands and household chores.

Having Realistic Expectations

What is a good surgical result for you? Having realistic expectations may be the key to success. Before you have cervical disk surgery, you need to know what this procedure can or can't do for your particular problem. This surgery can provide relief from neck and arm symptoms. But it may not eliminate symptoms completely, nor can it stop a degenera
tive condition called stenosis from progressing. Discuss your expectations with your doctor.

Preparative Considerations

Depending upon the type of surgery, you may need a Bone Graft. The graft is a piece of bone that can be obtained from a bone bank or from a bone in your own body (auto-graft), for example, your hipbone. Your doctor will discuss these options with you. You may also want to donate your own blood prior to surgery. It is possible, but unlikely, that a Blood Transfusion will be necessary.

Fitting a Brace

Depending on your problem, your doctor may recommend a rigid brace, a soft cervical collar or no brace at all. A brace can help protect your cervical spine while it's healing by
. limiting its motion. The brace may be fitted before surgery or immediately after surgery.

To help avoid complications from surgery, your surgeon may instruct you to stop smoking and to stop taking certain medications a couple of weeks before surgery. You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery. At the hospital, you'll be asked to sign a surgery consent form. Anaesthetist or nurse will talk to you about the general anaesthetic you will receive.
Risks and Complications
Your surgeon will discuss possible risks and complications of surgery. These include
-+ Infection.
-+ Persistent hoarseness.
-+ Spinal cord or nerve damage.
-+ Damage to nearby structures. .
-+ Side effects from anaesthesia.
-+ Bone graft shifting or displacement.
-+ Bleeding and possible need for blood trans
            fusion.